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BBC Books Turned Down Russell T. Davies’ Proposed Doctor Who Graphic Novel

by Rebecca Pahle | 12:55 pm, October 28th, 2012

Russell T. Davies has already made it clear he’ll not be involved in the 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who, saying “I think I’d be like the ghost at the feast. What would I do – turn up and make the tea? I have asked current boss Steven Moffat not to tell me what they are planning.” But it turns out he was interested in returning to Who in a different capacity—only he was turned down.

Says Davies in an interview with The Telegraph:

I did ask BBC Books if they fancied a graphic novel, and they went, ‘No’. I sat here thinking, I could write a graphic novel, I could even draw the graphic novel, that’d be brilliant… No. There we are then, I tried.”

Harsh, BBC Books. Harsh.

I’m sure they had a reason for refusing beyond just “Stay out of our sandbox, Davies!,” but I sure can’t figure out what it could have been. Even if Davies only wrote the graphic novel and someone else took up drawing—I’m not exactly sure whether he’s even serious about the drawing part, but he did start out his career doing illustration for children’s TV, so maybe—what’s wrong with a brand new RTD-penned Doctor Who story? It’s just a tie-in graphic novel, it’s not like he’s trying to orchestrate a coup against Moffat! Why won’t you let us have nice things?!

(via: io9)

TAGS: BBC | Doctor Who | Russell T. Davies | Steven Moffat

Anonymous

I want nice things!
http://profiles.google.com/palmetto Jennifer Dunbar

Meh. Okay, yes, RTD did bring the show back and for that I’m thankful. Otherwise? Meh. I am perfectly okay with this decision.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Josh-Harrison/100000541007999 Josh Harrison

didnt they do a graphic novel before? like back in the DT days?
http://twitter.com/seriouslyyouguy you guys

They have done several Doctor Who comics.
Anonymous

Why is he surprised? Given the animosity between him and the BBC during his tenure I’m sure nobody was sorry to see the back of him. He should just focus on his new project that wizard vs vampires or aliens or whatever. He abandoned Doctor Who, he abandoned Torchwood. If that’s his work ethic I can already see the success of his new show. 4 years and then a new job. The man has no follow through or commitment. If they had let him write a graphic novel it would have taken him 4 years and that’s with some overblown budget where he writes in something about Jack sleeping with somebody and plenty of moments where the Doctor is crying over a woman. I’m not missing much Russell. Don’t let the door hit you were the good lord split you.
bri

I will be very happy if RTD will never return in any form or shape to Doctor Who, he already destroyed Torchwood beyond repair, that is enough.
Anonymous

He didn’t even do that. Check out Mal Young’s IMDB and you will see he was exec producer of the first series, not Davies. I’m fed up with reading this again and again. There were many great producers, writers, editors, directors, actors, costume designers, etc, etc, It’s not as if Davies single handedly took on the mighty BBC and rose triumphant like a superhero from the ashes of old Doctor Who. He just happens to be one of a team of people, the most visible member of the team, but still just one of a team. Many hard working, professional and talented people worked very hard on Doctor Who and most of them get absolutely no credit for doing such a great job.